Muzzles

Use a basket muzzle - a mesh one isn't really suitable for going on walks.

Introduce it very slowly - show her the muzzle then give a treat, and build up very gradually from that. There's a video that demonstrates it here - I like this one because he explains what to look out for or be careful of at each stage. You can see he goes a bit fast for the purposes of the video but you get to see him responding to the dog trying to remove it.

Best of luck with the veterinary examinations. I hope you can find the cause and she's better soon.

Ok, will rethink the mesh muzzle; it does say on the side that it allows panting.

We did think it was the baby to begin with...but she has done it with me when the baby is there, with my husband without the baby, and with the dog walker without the baby. There don't appear to be any warning signs and it is so out of character for her. She was on some medication to stop what we thought was spay incontinence, and it is likely the medicine cause the aggression (and didn't cute what we now know was not spay incontinence)

no, dont get a mesh muzzle, go for a baskerville muzzle - much better as the dogs can still pant with them on. It will take time but soon she will associate muzzle with walk.

Do you think it could be the new baby that has bought about this problem? just a suggesting but that is a massive change for her?

Id like to say she wont mind the muzzle but we had to muzzle our rescue rottie when we first got him (becaue he kept attacking people!) and he hated it, would change from gregarious dog bounding around to hang dog, lagging behind on walks. He had to have it for about six months but we needed to be sure he was safe.

As of this week our dog is going to have to start wearing a muzzle (she has been attacking other dogs; completely out of character*).

We have a dog walker who walks her in the mornings (I have a 4 month old baby) who suggested one of those black mesh type muzzles. What is the best way to introduce it?

I know our dog is going to hate it - she is a springer spaniel who loves nothing more than relentlessly picking up sticks on her walk, and I hate the idea that she won't be able to do this; but at the moment I can't see any other option.

Any tips about introducing it and helping her get used to it?

*has been seen by vets...possibly a kidney issue which is being investigated. Vet will refer us to behaviourist in due course, but can't until we have ruled out any physical problems